a feeble effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a feeble effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt that is weak or lacking in strength or effectiveness. Example: "Despite their best intentions, the team's presentation was ultimately a feeble effort that failed to impress the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Masking tape on the sidewalk marks a feeble effort to prevent diners from blocking homes' entrances.

The New York Times

The movie makes a feeble effort to show that women were welcome in the movement.

The New York Times

It was a feeble effort - almost as if he was afraid of hurting himself.

The Guardian - Sport

It's slightly left of centre... 90+3 min: Thierry Henry shoots a feeble effort straight into the wall.

The Guardian - Sport

(His popularity extends elsewhere, too: In 2006, the Libertarian party made a feeble effort to seize Souter's New Hampshire home).

The Guardian - Opinion

President Bill Clinton made only a feeble effort to get the taxes reinstated, and President Bush hasn't even done that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The nightmare began with a feeble attempt to stop Franck Ribery's long-range effort after seven minutes.

BBC

But the effort was denounced by privacy advocates as a feeble attempt at crisis management.

The New York Times

He cut inside and delivered a shot that carried pace and power - but was assisted into the net by a feeble attempt at a stop from the keeper, who got a hand to the effort as it went past him.

BBC

It was a feeble attempt at a cover-up.

Forbes

After a few feeble efforts to "get this case going," even the lead prosecutor and the judge seemed to give up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a feeble effort", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being attempted and why it is considered weak or inadequate. For example, "The company's marketing campaign was a feeble effort to attract new customers because it lacked a clear message and targeted audience."

Common error

Avoid using "a feeble effort" when describing something that is merely imperfect or slightly flawed. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the attempt is significantly lacking in strength, resources, or effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a feeble effort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes an action or attempt characterized by its weakness or ineffectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a feeble effort" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes an attempt or action lacking strength or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and suitable for written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with secondary usage in sport and wiki. While grammatically sound, it's important to reserve this phrase for situations where the attempt is significantly inadequate, avoiding its use for minor imperfections. Alternatives like "a weak attempt" or "an ineffective endeavor" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Using "a feeble effort" effectively enhances clarity when criticizing or expressing disappointment in an action or endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a weak attempt

Focuses on the lack of strength in the attempt itself.

an ineffective endeavor

Highlights the lack of desired outcome or impact.

a half-hearted attempt

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm or commitment behind the action.

a lame attempt

Suggests the attempt was unconvincing or inadequate in a regrettable way.

a pathetic try

Highlights the inadequacy of the attempt, often evoking pity or scorn.

a flimsy undertaking

Implies the attempt was poorly planned and insubstantial.

a superficial gesture

Suggests the attempt was only surface-level and lacked depth.

a token effort

Emphasizes that the attempt was minimal and performed only to satisfy expectations.

a negligible action

Highlights that the attempt was insignificant and had little to no impact.

a substandard performance

Focuses on the inadequate execution or delivery of the attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "a feeble effort" in a sentence?

You can use "a feeble effort" to describe an attempt that lacks strength or effectiveness. For instance, "The team's presentation was "a feeble effort" that failed to impress the audience."

What are some alternatives to "a feeble effort"?

Alternatives include "a weak attempt", "an ineffective endeavor", or "a half-hearted attempt", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a feeble attempt effort"?

Yes, saying "a feeble attempt effort" is redundant because both 'attempt' and 'effort' convey similar meanings. It's best to stick with either ""a feeble effort"" or "a feeble attempt".

What's the difference between "a feeble effort" and "a valiant effort"?

"A feeble effort" describes an attempt that is weak or ineffective, while "a valiant effort" describes an attempt that is courageous and determined, even if it doesn't succeed.